Liquid fuel burner of the retort vaporizing type



Feb. 10, 1953 P. A. BROADY 2,627,908

LIQUID FUEL BURNER OF THE RETORT VAPORIZING TYPE Filed Aug. 7, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 2 I; Z a8 3' 17 a I /A//I/////'//////V I/ll/ I9 I m J 2 21 f ans INVENTOR Paul A; mad

BY NWMW ATTORNEY 2,627,908 LIQUID-FUEL BURNER OF THE RETORT VAPORIZING TYPE Filed Aug. 7, 1950 P. A. BROADY Feb. 10, 1953 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Paul A. Br-SZEZE; BY MJM M ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 10, 1953 QFFICE LIQUID FUEL BURNER OF THE RETORT" VAPORIZING TYPE Paul A. Broady, Greenville, S. 0.

Application August 7, 1950, Serial No. 178,100

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a liquid fuel burner of the retort vaporizing type.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a liquid fuel burner of the above-mentioned character which is highly simplified and compact in construction, sturdy and durable, reliable and efficient in operation, readily accessible for maintenance and cleaning and cheap to manufacture.

A further object is to provide an oil burner of the above-mentioned character which may constitute a conversion or replacement unit for existing solid fuel burning furnaces and existing fuel oil burners, as well as for furnaces and stoves which are designed and manufactured specifically for my burner.

A stil1 further object of the invention is to provide an oil burner of the above mentioned character which embodies novel and efficient ignition and air control means, Without the use of complex and costly movable parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a liquid fuel burner embodying my invention, and showing the same installed in a heating stove or furnace.

Y Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section taken on line 22 of Figure 1, parts omitted,

I Figure 3 is a central vertical transverse section taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of an air bafiie plate, taken on line 44 of Figure 1, and,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral I designates a furnace or stove having a main heating chamber II, in cluding a horizontal floor plate or grate I2, spaced a substantial distance above the base I3 of the furnace, as shown.

My burner proper is designated generally by the numeral I4, and comprises an upstanding rectangular casing or tank I having vertical ends I6 and vertical sides I! integrally secured to the ends. The bottoms of the ends and sides I6 and H are rigidly secured to the fiat floor plate I2 by welding or the like, and formed therewith liquid tight joints. The tank I5 is centrally located withinthe main heating chamber I I, and the top of the tank is open. The portion of the floor plate I2 directly beneath the tank I5 is imperforate, Figure 3, but the floor plate is provided upon opposite sides of the tank I5 with laterally spaced longitudinal rows of air inlet apertures I8, the rows of apertures extending for the entire length of thetank l5 along its sides IT. The apertures I8 communicate with a large fresh air chamber or pit I9 below the'floor plate I2. Flat draft regulating slides or dampers are mounted in fixed guides 2|, rigidly secured to the bottom of the floor plate I2. The plates 20 are slidable transversely of the tank I5 and are provided with rows of apertures 22, adapted to register with the apertures I8 of the floor plate I2. As shown in Figure 2, the plates 20 extend throughout the entire length of the tank I5.

A pair of upstanding inclined fiat air baffle plates 23 are provided, and these bafile plates extend for the entire length of the tank I5 and have their bottom ends rigidly anchored in the corners formed by the sides; I1 and floor plate I2. The bafile plates 23 are provided over substantially their entire areas with spaced apertures 23' forming air pass-ages. The tops of the baffle plates 23 project a substantial distance above the top of the tank l5 and are spaced laterally inwardly of the adjacent side walls 24 of the furnace heating chamber II.

Upwardly diverging and curved main bafile plates 25 are, arranged above the inclined baflle plates 23 and tank l5, and the upper ends of the main baffie platesare rigidly secured to the furnace side walls 24, the lower ends of the main baflle plates being located adjacent to the upper edges of the tank sides I7, Figure 3. The bafile plates 25 extend for the entire length of the tank I5, and are provided over their entire areas with spaced air apertures 25'. The bafile plates 23 and 25 have their opposite ends adjacent to the ends I6 of the tank I5, and the endsof the baflle plates 23 and 25 substantially contact the other pair of side Walls 24 or the mainheating chamber II. The lower ends of the main 'baffle plates 25 are joined by a generally U-shaped or depressed heating or vaporizing plate 26, rigidly secured thereto, and preferably formed integral therewith. The heating plate 25 projects into the open top of the tank l5, and extends for the entire distance between the ends 16 of the tank, and across the tank as-shown in Figure 3. The plate 25 thus forms a permanent closure member or cover for the tank I5, as shown. The bottom of the U-shaped heating plate 26 is spaced above the floor plate I2 for a substantial distance, and

a pair of laterally spaced parallel longitudinal heating fins or ribs 21 are rigidly secured to the bottom of the heating plate 25 and project below the same. These fins 21 extend throughout the entire length of the tank l5. The bottom ends of the fins 21 are spaced above the floor plate l2, and arranged near the vertical center of the tank (5.

A pair of vertical parallel longitudinal well forming plates 28 are rigidly secured to the upper face of the heating plate 26, and extend throughout the entire length of the tank l5. The tops of the plates 28 are flush with the'top: of the tank l5, and the plates 28 are preferably arranged approximately midway between the tank sides H and the transverse center of the tank.

A central upstanding vertical main oil supply pipe 29 has its open top end projecting through and anchored within a central opening 33 of the floor plate i2, and this pipe 29 supplies oil to the tank I from a constant level oilsupply tank or reservoir, not shown. A secondary smaller vertical oil supply pipe 3| leads from the constant level oil reservoir and through the pit l9 to a point adjacent to one of the tankends I5, and at the transverse center of the tank. 15, Figures 1 and 2. At its top end, the secondary oil supply pipe 3| leads into short forked. branch pipes 32, in turn leading throughv the adjacent tank end [6, just above the lowermost portion of the U-shaped heating plate 26, Figures 2 and 3. The branch pipes 32 thus communicate with the interior of the tank l5 above the heating plate 26 and between the well forming plates 28. The branch pipes 32 are. laterally spaced from the transverse center'of the heating plate 25, and horizontal. They terminate at the inner face of the end l6 through which they project.

An upwardly: tapering conical opening or orifice 33 is formed centrally in the: bottom of the U-shaped. heating plate 26, and an upstanding' vertical vaporizing pipe: 35'hasits bottom end anchored within the top of the orifice 33 and communicated therewith. The upper end of the pipe 34 projects a substantial distance above the top of the tank l5 and terminates near the vertical centers of the main bafile. plates 25. The pipe 34 is located at the transverse and. longitudinal centers of the tank I5. The plate and tank I! thus form a pressure-retort chamber which is closed exception the inlet pipe 29 and outlet pipe 34.

An: elongated horizontal. tubular retort head or nozzle 35 is rigidly mounted. upon the top. of the pipe 3 l and extends longitudinally. of the tank 15 throughout the major portion of. its length, Figure. 2. The nozzle 35 is parallel to the baille plates 25, and spaced equidistantly. therebetween. The oppositev ends 31 of. the nozzle 35 are spaced'equidistantly from the vertical; retort 34'. The nozzle 35 has an arcnatev longitudinal top 3'5 and a fiat horizontal bottom 38,. integral therewith and integrally connected withthe ends 31'. The bottom 38' has a central opening 39, receiving the top end of the pipe 34, as shown, and the nozzle isprovided-upon opposite sides and adjacent to its bottom with laterally outwardly projecting continuous longitudinal bosses or extensions 45, having longitudinally spaced vapor discharge openings 4i. Except for the openings 41, the hollow nozzle 35' is entirely closed.

The operation of my oil burner is as follows:

Oil is supplied from the constant level supply tank, not shown, to a dual control" or metering valve, not shown, and forming no part of this invention. From the metering valve, the fuel oil flows through the pipes 29 and 3| and into the tank l5 and well formed by the U-shaped heating plate 26. The oil entering above the plate 26 from the branch pipes 32 is confined between the tank ends I6 and well-forming plates 28, and this oil forms a pool for theignition of the burner, up to the level of the tops of thebranch pipes 32.

Ignition is accomplished by striking a match tothe oil pool above the plate 26, at any point along the same; If desired, a standard type spark igniter may be provided upon the oil burner, and this is optional. The ignited oil pool above the plate 26 burns, and heat is transmitted to the pipe 34, plates 28, heating plate 25 and fins 21. This heat causes the oil in the main pool 42 within the tank 15 or retort chamber to vaporize in the space between the bottom edges of the fins 21 and heating plate 25. This vaporization creates pressure within the: tank I15 or retort chamber which causes vapor to travel upwardly through the orifice 33 and pipe- 34; into the nozzle 35. This vapor passes through the discharge apertures 41 and into the open. combustion space between the main bailles 25 above the tank 15. Here the vapor mixes with air which flows upwardly from the pit 19, through the apertures I8, 23' and 25. The air draft from the pit, i9 may be natural or forced, and a fan or blower, not shown, may be installed in the side wall of the pit l9 if desired. The updraft of air from the pit I9- is controlled by adjustment of the slides 29, which adjustmentcontrols the degree of registration oftheapertures lfi and' 22.

The fixed baflle plates 23 retard the velocity of. the air, and some air passes around the top edges of the baflie plates 23, While. some air-passes through their apertures 23'. After passing through and about the bafiie plates 23,.the air circulates through the apertures 25' of the main bafile plates 25 and into the combustion space about the nozzle 35. Due to the upward curvaturev of the main baflles 25, air passing, through; the uppermost of the apertures 25' is directed substantially vertically upwardly and. forms-an up. draft in the furnace chamber II. The air passing through intermediate apertures 25. flows. substantially horizontally inwardly: toward: the nozzle 35, for thoroughly mixing withthe vapor: discharged by the nozzle. Air flowing. tluough thelowermost aperture 25" passing over; the upper edges of the heating plate 25 and then downwardly and through additional air inlet openings 43 in the plates 28 near their opposite; ends. The air flowing through the. openings 43 aids in supporting ignition and pilot burning in the pool between the plates 28.

The pilot burning above the plate 26 and; be.- tween the plates 28 ignites. the vapor. passing from the nozzle 35, and the main. combustion takes place continuously in the space about the nozzle and between the bafile plates 25. Asthemain burning continues, the ignition. pool of. oil. upon the plate 26 is entirely consumed, and the oil flowing through the. pipe 3! begins. to vaporize and burn as soon as it enters the. region above the plate 25 from the branch pipe 32.

The main oil pool 42 is held just at the vaporizing temperature throughout the operation of the burner by the fiow of cool air around the sides I! from the lowermost apertures 23 of the bafile plates 23. vaporization below theplate 2.3 is" continuous, as oil is fed through the main supply pipe 29, and the burning in the main combustion space adjacent to the nozzle 35 is continuous and very hot.

It is to be noted that combustion in the region of the head 35 is free, in the sense that there is no confinement of the flame except by the side walls 24 and 24' of the furnace heating chamber I I. There is no liability of the flame snuffing out in the main combustion area due to changes or eddy'currents in the air draft, because the construction of this burner controls both the volume and direction of flow of air, as well as its velocity, and this control is accomplished without the use of complicated movable air-directing equipment.

The constant level supply tank and dual metering valve, not shown, assure a constant oil level in the tank I and eliminate the liability of the burner flooding with oil.

The burner is readily accessible for cleaning and maintenance without extensive removal of parts, mainly due to its open construction from the top.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A liquid fuel burner comprising a tank for holding a pool of oil, means connected with the tank for supplying oil to the same, a depressed plate mounted upon the top of the tank and projecting downwardly into the tank and forming an upper receptacle for an ignition pool of oil, means connected with the tank above the depressed plate for supplying oil to the ignition pool, an upstanding discharge pipe secured to the depressed plate and projecting above the same, the depressed plate having an opening adjacent to the pipe and placing the retort in communication with the interior of the tank below the depressed plate, the depressed plate and tank forming a pressure retort chamber below the plate which is closed except for the oil supplying means and the discharge pipe, an elongated tubular nozzle secured to the top of the pipe and having side discharge openings, and upwardly extending perforated ballie plates connected with the tank near opposite sides thereof l and extending above the top of the tank and nozzle and being spaced laterally of the opposite sides of the nozzle in opposition to the discharge openings of the nozzle.

2. A liquid fuel burner comprising a tank for holding a pool of oil, a pipe connected with the tank for supplying it with oil, a recessed plate mounted upon the top of the tank and adapted to hold an ignition pool of oil upon the top of said plate, means connected with the tank for supplying oil to the ignition pool, an upstanding discharge pipe secured to the recessed plate and extending above the same and having its bottom end communicating with the interior of the tank below the recessed plate, the recessed plate and tank forming a pressure retort chamber below such plate which is closed except for the] oil supplying pipe and the discharge pipe, an elongated tubular nozzle secured to the top of the upstanding pipe and having longitudinally spaced discharge openings formed in opposite sides thereof, and upwardly diverging perforated baflles arranged adjacent to the sides of the tank and spaced upon opposite sides of the nozzle and extending a substantial distance above the top of the tank, the discharge opening of the tubular nozzle directing vapor laterally of the nozzle and toward the perforated baiiles.

3. An oil burner comprising a floor plate provided with laterally spaced groups of air openings, a tank mounted upon the floor plate between the groups of air openings, an upwardly directed oil supply pipe passing through the floor plate and into the bottom of the tank for maintaining a pool of oil within the tank, a generally U-shaped vaporizing plate mounted within the upper portion of the tank and spaced above the pool of oil within the tank and provided in its bottom with an opening, the U-shaped plate holding upon its upper surface an ignition pool of oil for starting a pilot burning, a pipe leading into the tank above the U-shaped plate, for supplying oil to said ignition pool, inclined perforated air baffle plates arranged upon opposite sides of the tank and extending from the floor plate to points above the top of the tank, upwardly diverging perforated baille plates arranged above the air bafile plates and tank and having their bottom ends connected with opposite sides of the U-shaped plate, an upstanding discharge pipe secured within the opening of the U-shaped plate and extending above the U- shaped plate and having its upper end terminating above the top of the tank and between the diverging bafile plates, the bottom end of the discharge pipe communicating with the interior of the tank below the U-shaped plate, the U-shaped plate and the tank forming a pressure retort chamber which is closed except at the oil supply pipe and the discharge pipe, and an elongated nozzle secured to the top of the retort and extending generally parallel to the perforated diverging baiile plates and provided in its opposite sides with longitudinally spaced discharge openings which are directed toward the diverging baflle plates so that vapor from the nozzle will comingle with air flowing through the perforated diverging baflie plates.

4. In a liquid fuel burner, a tank for holding a pool of oil, means to feed oil into the tank from the bottom of the tank, a recessed member mounted upon the top of the tank and above the pool of oil and adapted to hold an ignition pool of oil upon its upper surface, means for supplying oil to the ignition pool, opposed upwardly diverging arcuate perforated bafile plates arranged above the tank and extending laterally beyond opposite sides of the tank and having their bottom ends disposed adjacent to said opposite sides of the tank, the recessed member having a generally central opening, an upstanding discharge pipe mounted upon the recessed member and having its bottom end leading into the generally central opening, the recessed member and tank forming a pressure retort chamber which is closed except at the oil supply means and the discharge pipe, and an elongated tubular head secured to the top of the upstanding discharge pipe and communicating therewith and arranged between the baflle plates and being generally parallel thereto, the head being provided in its opposite longitudinal sides with longitudinally spaced discharge openings which direct vapor toward the opposed bafiie plates, the arrangement being such that air passes through the perforations of the bafile plates to comingle with the vapor discharging from the head.

x 5-. A liquid fuel burner comprising. asubstam tially horizontal floor plate provided withspacecl air.v inlet openings, slides connected with the floor plate and having openings which may register with the openings of the floor plate and shiftable out of registration with the openings of the floor plate for controlling the flow of air through the floor plate, a tank mounted upon the floor plate between the openings thereof, a pair of opposed inclined upwardly diverging perforated baiile plates secured to the floor plate upon opposite sides of the tank and having their upper ends extending above the tank and spaced laterally beyond opposite sides of the tank, a second pair of opposed inclined upwardly diverging perforated baiile plates arranged above the first-named baflle plates and having their bottom ends connected with the top of the tank adjacent to the, opposite sides thereof, the top ends of the second named bafile plates extending above and laterally outwardly of the tops of the first-named bafile plates, a depressed cover member mounted upon the top of the tank between the first and second pairs of baflle plates and provided with a generally central opening, an upstanding discharge pipe mounted upon the depressed cover member and extending above the same and having its bottom end communicating with said generally central opening, a nozzle secured to the top of the upstanding pipe and disposed between the second named baffle plates and having discharge openings directed toward the second named bafile plates, and means connected with the tank for supplying it with liquid fuel, the depressed cover member and the tank forming a pressure-retort chamber which is closed except at the oil supply means and the discharge pipe.

plate, the depressed plate and tankforming a.

pressure retort chamber which is closed except at theoil supply pipe and the discharge pipe,- an elongated tubular nozzle mounted upon the retort near the upper end of the same and provided in opposite sides with longitudinally spaced apertures for discharging vapor-laterally of the tubular nozzle, and upwardly diverging perforated bafiles arranged above the top of the tank and spaced from the opposite sides of the nozzle in opposition to the apertures thereof.

. PAUL A. BROADY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,529,935 Thomas Mar. 17, 1925 1,557,954 Wood Oct. 20,1925 1,673,596 Seeger June 12, 1928 2,524,068 Miller Oct. 3, 1950 2,542,729

Thomson Feb. 20, 195 

